Where in the World is Weiss?

If you are looking for Dr. Jesse Weiss around campus during the month of May, you might not have much luck. You could even find yourself thinking "Where in the world is Weiss???"

Follow Dr. Jesse Weiss and the 10 students enrolled in his National Parks course (ENS 4783) as they journey across the western United States to visit Badlands, Yellowstone, Arches, Bryce Canyon, and Grand Canyon National Parks from May 18-30, 2013.

STATUS: Friday, December 09, 2016 - Back at Ozarks! The group has traveled more than 4000 miles to experience some of the most majestic places in the western United States. Be sure to read about their experiences on facebook!

Meet the National Parks - Ozarks Travelers!

Dr. Jesse Weiss

Matt Friant

John Nix

Kelsey Ramsey

Scotti Burnside

Lauren Ray

Riley Young

Trent Ueunten

Rafael Luna

Tess Montgomery

Clint Morrow

ENS 4783: National Parks

The National Parks class, taught by Dr. Jesse Weiss, associate professor of sociology and environmental studies, explores the relationship between human civilization and the physical environment.

Weiss says that humans act toward ecosystems in a way that is consistent with their definition of that ecosystem and according to the value they place on it. The goal of the National Parks course was to attempt to gain an understanding of the way that human societies envision, construct and enact their relationship with the physical environment by examining how humans use that environment.

These students sought to understand this relationship by examining the development of the concept of "wilderness" in the United States and how that conceptualization led to the development of a National Parks program. They studied sociological theories and concepts, philosophical arguments and historical documentation. The class will culminate with a trip out west, planned and implemented by the students.

Follow their journey to see what they can teach us about five amazing National Parks!